Inbred corn line LH231

ABSTRACT

An inbred corn line, designated LH231, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of inbred corn line LH231, to the plants of inbred corn line LH231 and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing the inbred line LH231 with itself or another corn line. The invention further relates to hybrid corn seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line LH231 with another corn line.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinctive corn inbred line, designated LH231. There are numerous steps in the development of any novel, desirable plant germplasm. Plant breeding begins with the analysis and definition of problems and weaknesses of the current germplasm, the establishment of program goals, and the definition of specific breeding objectives. The next step is selection of germplasm that possess the traits to meet the program goals. The goal is to combine in a single variety or hybrid an improved combination of desirable traits from the parental germplasm. These important traits may include higher yield, resistance to diseases and insects, better stalks and roots, tolerance to drought and heat, and better agronomic quality.

Choice of breeding or selection methods depends on the mode of plant reproduction, the heritability of the trait(s) being improved, and the type of cultivar used commercially (e.g., F₁ hybrid cultivar, pureline cultivar, etc.). For highly heritable traits, a choice of superior individual plants evaluated at a single location will be effective, whereas for traits with low heritability, selection should be based on mean values obtained from replicated evaluations of families of related plants. Popular selection methods commonly include pedigree selection, modified pedigree selection, mass selection, and recurrent selection.

The complexity of inheritance influences choice of the breeding method. Backcross breeding is used to transfer one or a few favorable genes for a highly heritable trait into a desirable cultivar. This approach has been used extensively for breeding disease-resistant cultivars. Various recurrent selection techniques are used to improve quantitatively inherited traits controlled by numerous genes. The use of recurrent selection in self-pollinating crops depends on the ease of pollination, the frequency of successful hybrids from each pollination, and the number of hybrid offspring from each successful cross.

Each breeding program should include a periodic, objective evaluation of the efficiency of the breeding procedure. Evaluation criteria vary depending on the goal and objectives, but should include gain from selection per year based on comparisons to an appropriate standard, overall value of the advanced breeding lines, and number of successful cultivars produced per unit of input (e.g., per year, per dollar expended, etc.).

Promising advanced breeding lines are thoroughly tested and compared to appropriate standards in environments representative of the commercial target area(s) for three years at least. The best lines are candidates for new commercial cultivars; those still deficient in a few traits are used as parents to produce new populations for further selection.

These processes, which lead to the final step of marketing and distribution, usually take from eight to 12 years from the time the first cross is made. Therefore, development of new cultivars is a time-consuming process that requires precise forward planning, efficient use of resources, and a minimum of changes in direction.

A most difficult task is the identification of individuals that are genetically superior, because for most traits the true genotypic value is masked by other confounding plant traits or environmental factors. One method of identifying a superior plant is to observe its performance relative to other experimental plants and to a widely grown standard cultivar. If a single observation is inconclusive, replicated observations provide a better estimate of its genetic worth.

The goal of plant breeding is to develop new, unique and superior corn inbred lines and hybrids. The breeder initially selects and crosses two or more parental lines, followed by repeated selfing and selection, producing many new genetic combinations. The breeder can theoretically generate billions of different genetic combinations via crossing, selfing and mutations. The breeder has no direct control at the cellular level. Therefore, two breeders will never develop the same line, or even very similar lines, having the same corn traits.

Each year, the plant breeder selects the germplasm to advance to the next generation. This germplasm is grown under unique and different geographical, climatic and soil conditions, and further selections are then made, during and at the end of the growing season. The inbred lines which are developed are unpredictable. This unpredictability is because the breeder's selection occurs in unique environments, with no control at the DNA level (using conventional breeding procedures), and with millions of different possible genetic combinations being generated. A breeder of ordinary skill in the art cannot predict the final resulting lines he develops, except possibly in a very gross and general fashion. The same breeder cannot produce the same line twice by using the exact same original parents and the same selection techniques. This unpredictability results in the expenditure of large research monies to develop a superior new corn inbred line.

The development of commercial corn hybrids requires the development of homozygous inbred lines, the crossing of these lines, and the evaluation of the crosses. Pedigree breeding and recurrent selection breeding methods are used to develop inbred lines from breeding populations. Breeding programs combine desirable traits from two or more inbred lines or various broad-based sources into breeding pools from which inbred lines are developed by selfing and selection of desired phenotypes. The new inbreds are crossed with other inbred lines and the hybrids from these crosses are evaluated to determine which have commercial potential.

Pedigree breeding is used commonly for the improvement of self-pollinating crops or inbred lines of cross-pollinating crops. Two parents which possess favorable, complementary traits are crossed to produce an F₁. An F₂ population is produced by selfing one or several F₁ 's or by intercrossing two F₁ 's (sib mating). Selection of the best individuals is usually begun in the F₂ population; then, beginning in the F₃, the best individuals in the best families are selected. Replicated testing of families, or hybrid combinations involving individuals of these families, often follows in the F₄ generation to improve the effectiveness of selection for traits with low heritability. At an advanced stage of inbreeding (i.e., F₆ and F₇), the best lines or mixtures of phenotypically similar lines are tested for potential release as new cultivars.

Mass and recurrent selections can be used to improve populations of either self- or cross-pollinating crops. A genetically variable population of heterozygous individuals is either identified or created by intercrossing several different parents. The best plants are selected based on individual superiority, outstanding progeny, or excellent combining ability. The selected plants are intercrossed to produce a new population in which further cycles of selection are continued.

Backcross breeding has been used to transfer genes for a simply inherited, highly heritable trait into a desirable homozygous cultivar or inbred line which is the recurrent parent. The source of the trait to be transferred is called the donor parent. The resulting plant is expected to have the attributes of the recurrent parent (e.g., cultivar) and the desirable trait transferred from the donor parent. After the initial cross, individuals possessing the phenotype of the donor parent are selected and repeatedly crossed (backcrossed) to the recurrent parent. The resulting plant is expected to have the attributes of the recurrent parent (e.g., cultivar) and the desirable trait transferred from the donor parent.

Descriptions of other breeding methods that are commonly used for different traits and crops can be found in one of several reference books (e.g., Allard, 1960; Simmonds, 1979; Sneep et al., 1979; Fehr, 1987).

Proper testing should detect any major faults and establish the level of superiority or improvement over current cultivars. In addition to showing superior performance, there must be a demand for a new cultivar that is compatible with industry standards or which creates a new market. The introduction of a new cultivar will incur additional costs to the seed producer, the grower, processor and consumer; for special advertising and marketing, altered seed and commercial production practices, and new product utilization. The testing preceding release of a new cultivar should take into consideration research and development costs as well as technical superiority of the final cultivar. For seed-propagated cultivars, it must be feasible to produce seed easily and economically.

Once the inbreds that give the best hybrid performance have been identified, the hybrid seed can be reproduced indefinitely as long as the homogeneity of the inbred parent is maintained. A single-cross hybrid is produced when two inbred lines are crossed to produce the F₁ progeny. A double-cross hybrid is produced from four inbred lines crossed in pairs (A×B and C×D) and then the two F₁ hybrids are crossed again (A×B)×(C×D). Much of the hybrid vigor exhibited by F₁ hybrids is lost in the next generation (F₂). Consequently, seed from hybrid varieties is not used for planting stock.

Corn is an important and valuable field crop. Thus, a continuing goal of plant breeders is to develop stable, high yielding corn hybrids that are agronomically sound. The reasons for this goal are obviously to maximize the amount of grain produced on the land used and to supply food for both animals and humans. To accomplish this goal, the corn breeder must select and develop corn plants that have the traits that result in superior parental lines for producing hybrids.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there is provided a novel inbred corn line, designated LH231. This invention thus relates to the seeds of inbred corn line LH231, to the plants of inbred corn line LH231 and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing the inbred line LH231 with itself or another corn line. This invention further relates to hybrid corn seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line LH231 with another corn line.

DEFINITIONS

In the description and tables which follow, a number of terms are used. In order to provide a clear and consistent understanding of the specification and claims, including the scope to be given such terms, the following definitions are provided:

Predicted RM. This trait for a hybrid, predicted relative maturity (RM), is based on the harvest moisture of the grain. The relative maturity rating is based on a known set of checks and utilizes conventional maturity systems such as the Minnesota Relative Maturity Rating System.

MN RM. This represents the Minnesota Relative Maturity Rating (MN RM) for the hybrid and is based on the harvest moisture of the grain relative to a standard set of checks of previously determined MN RM rating. Regression analysis is used to compute this rating.

Yield (Bushels/Acre). The yield in bushels/acre is the actual yield of the grain at harvest adjusted to 15.5% moisture.

Moisture. The moisture is the actual percentage moisture of the grain at harvest.

GDU Silk. The GDU silk (=heat unit silk) is the number of growing degree units (GDU) or heat units required for an inbred line or hybrid to reach silk emergence from the time of planting. Growing degree units are calculated by the Barger Method, where the heat units for a 24-hour period are: ##EQU1## The highest maximum used is 86° F. and the lowest minimum used is 50° F. For each hybrid, it takes a certain number of GDUs to reach various stages of plant development. GDUs are a way of measuring plant maturity.

Stalk Lodging. This is the percentage of plants that stalk lodge, i.e., stalk breakage, as measured by either natural lodging or pushing the stalks determining the percentage of plants that break off below the ear. This is a relative rating of a hybrid to other hybrids for standability.

Root Lodging. The root lodging is the percentage of plants that root lodge; i.e., those that lean from the vertical axis at an approximate 30° angle or greater would be counted as root lodged.

Plant Height. This is a measure of the height of the hybrid from the ground to the tip of the tassel, and is measured in centimeters.

Ear Height. The ear height is a measure from the ground to the ear node attachment, and is measured in centimeters.

Dropped Ears. This is a measure of the number of dropped ears per plot, and represents the percentage of plants that dropped an ear prior to harvest.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Inbred corn line LH231 is a yellow dent corn with superior characteristics, and provides an excellent parental line in crosses for producing first generation (F₁) hybrid corn.

LH231 is a corn inbred line developed by crossing BS13×B73 with LHE136. This combination, BS13×B73)(LHE136 was then selfed and the pedigree system of plant breeding was then used in the development of LH231. Yield, stalk quality, root quality, disease tolerance, late plant greenness, late plant intactness, ear retention, pollen shedding ability, silking ability and corn borer tolerance were the criteria used to determine the rows from which ears were selected.

Inbred corn line LH231 has the following morphologic and other characteristics (based primarily on data collected at Williamsburg, Iowa).

VARIETY DESCRIPTION INFORMATION

1. TYPE: Dent

2. REGION WHERE DEVELOPED: Northcentral U.S.

3. MATURITY:

    ______________________________________                          Days  Heat Units     ______________________________________     From emergence to 50% of plants in silk:                            84      1385     From emergence to 50% of plants in pollen                            86      1419     ______________________________________      ##STR1##      4. PLANT:

Plant Height (to tassel tip): 203 cm

Ear Height (to base of top ear): 77 cm

Length of Top Ear Internode: 13 cm

Average number of Tillers: 0

Average Number of Ears per Stalk: 1.3

Ear Tendency: Slight twoear

Anthocyanin of Brace Roots: Present

5. LEAF:

Width of Ear Node Leaf: 9 cm

Length of Ear Node Leaf: 82 cm

Number of leaves above top ear: 5

Leaf Angle from Leaf to Stalk above leaf: 20°

Leaf Color: 5 GY 3/4 Munsell Color Charts for Plant Tissues

Leaf Sheath Pubescence: Light

Marginal Waves: Few

Longitudinal Creases: Few

6. TASSEL:

Number of Lateral Branches: 7

Branch Angle from Central Spike: 30

Tassel Length (from top leaf collar to tassel top): 49 cm

Pollen Shed: Medium

Anther Color: Purple

Glume Color: Green with purple margin

Bar Glumes: Absent

7a. EAR: (Unhusked Data)

Silk Color (3 days after emergency): Light Green

Fresh Husk Color (25 days after 50% silking): Light Green

Dry Husk Color (65 days after 50% silking): Buff

Position of Ear: Upright

Husk Tightness: Average

Husk Extension: Long (8-10 cm beyond ear tip)

7b. EAR: (Husked Ear Data)

Ear Length: 16 cm

Ear Diameter at midpoint: 46 mm

Ear Weight: 149 gm

Number of Kernel Rows: 16

Kernel Rows: Distinct

Row Alignment: Straight

Shank Length: 12 cm

Ear Taper: Slight

8. KERNEL: (Dried)

Kernel Length: 12 mm

Kernel Width: 8 mm

Kernel Thickness: 5 mm

Round Kernels (Shape Grade): 22%

Aleurone Color Pattern: Homozygous

Aleurone Color: White

Hard Endosperm Color: Yellow

Endosperm Type: Normal Starch

Weight per 100 kernels (unsized sample): 22 gm

9. COB:

Cob Diameter at MidPoint: 34 mm

Cob Color: Pink

10. DISEASE RESISTANCE:

Rating [1=(most susceptible) through 9=(most resistant)]

4 Northern Leaf Blight (Exserohilum turcicum)

8 Southern Leaf Blight (Bipolaris maydis)

8 Anthracnose (Colletotrichum graminicola)

5 Eyespot (Aureobasidium zeae)

4 Gray Leaf Spot (Cercospora zeaemaydis)

8 Helminthosporium Leaf Spot (Race 3)

11. AGRONOMIC TRAITS:

Stay Green: High

0% Dropped Ears

0% Preanthesis Brittle Snapping

0% Preanthesis Root Lodging

0% Postanthesis Root Lodging

This invention is also directed to methods for producing a corn plant by crossing a first parent corn plant with a second parent corn plant, wherein the first or second corn plant is the inbred corn plant from the line LH231. Further, both first and second parent corn plants may be from the inbred line LH231. Therefore, any methods using the inbred corn line LH231 are part of this invention: selfing, backcrosses, hybrid breeding, and crosses to populations. Any plants produced using inbred corn line LH231 as a parent are within the scope of this invention. Advantageously, the inbred corn line is used in crosses with other corn varieties to produce first generation (F₁) corn hybrid seed and plants with superior characteristics.

As used herein, the term "plant" includes plant cells, plant protoplasts, plant cell of tissue culture from which corn plants can be regenerated, plant calli, plant clumps, and plant cells that are intact in plants or parts of plants, such as pollen, flowers, kernels, ears, cobs, leaves, husks, stalks, and the like.

Tissue culture of corn is described in European Patent Application, Publication No. 160,390, incorporated herein by reference. Corn tissue culture procedures are also described in Green and Rhodes, "Plant Regeneration in Tissue Culture of Maize", Maize for Biological Research (Plant Molecular Biology Association, Charlottesville, Va. 1982), at 367-372. Thus, another aspect of this invention is to provide for cells which upon growth and differentiation produce the inbred line LH231.

BS 13, one of the progenitors of LH231, is a population developed from "Iowa Stiff Stalk Synthetic" (BSSS) and was released by Iowa State University to the public in 1979. B73 is a field corn inbred line developed by Iowa State University and released to the public in 1972. LHE136, also a progenitor of LH231, is a proprietary field corn inbred line developed and owned by Holden's Foundation Seeds, Inc. of Williamsburg, Iowa.

LH231 is most similar to LH132. However, there are numerous differences including plant height and ear height. LH231 is shorter in plant height and ear height than LH132. On the average, LH231 is shorter in plant height than LH132. Leaves are present on the husks of LH231 at anthesis. Leaves are not present on the husks of LH132 at anthesis. The brace roots of LH231 are variegated, red and green in color. The brace roots of LH132 are solid red in color.

LH231 is a medium season field corn inbred line that is best adapted to th central regions of the corn belt. As a line, LH231 flowers similar to LH198. LH231 is an excellent seed parent.

LH231 displays lower ear placement than other B73 types in hybrids. In Nebraska, LH231 hybrids have exhibited less summer stalk breakage and improved tolerance to the Fusarium stalk rot complex. In many crosses, LH231 harvest moistures have been similar to LH132 hybrids. However, when crossed to members of the LH82 family, the harvest moistures have been lower, similar to LH198 hybrids.

Some of the criteria used to select ears in various generations include: yield, stalk quality, root quality, disease tolerance, late plant greenness, late season plant intactness, ear retention, pollen shedding ability, silking ability, and corn borer tolerance. During the developmen of the line, crosses were made to inbred testers for the purpose of estimating the line's general and specific combining ability, and evaluations were run by the Williamsburg, Iowa Research Station. The inbred was evaluated further as a line and in numerous crosses by the Williamsburg and other research stations across the Corn Belt. The inbred has proven to have a very good combining ability in hybrid combinations.

The inbred has shown uniformity and stability for all traits. It has been selfpollinated and earrowed a sufficient number of generations, with careful attention to uniformity of plant type to ensure homozygosity and phenotypic stability. The line has been increased both by hand and sibbed in isolated fields with continued observations for uniformity. No variant traits have been observed or are expected in LH231.

TABLES

In the tables that follow, the traits and characteristics of inbred corn line LH231 are given in hybrid combination. The data collected on inbred corn line LH231 is presented for the key characteristics and traits. The tables present yield test information about LH231. LH231 was tested in several hybrid combinations at numerous locations, with two or three replications per location. Information about these hybrids, as compared t several check hybrids, is presented.

The first pedigree listed in the comparison group is the hybrid containing LH231. Information for the pedigree includes:

1. Mean yield of the hybrid across all locations.

2. A mean for the percentage moisture (% M) for the hybrid across all locations.

3. A mean of the yield divided by the percentage moisture (Y/M) for the hybrid across all locations.

4. A mean of the percentage of plants with stalk lodging (% SL) across all locations.

5. A mean of the percentage of plants with root lodging (% RL) across all locations.

6. A mean of the percentage of plants with dropped ears (% DE).

7. A mean of plant height measured in centimeters.

8. A mean of ear height measured in centimeters.

9. The number of locations indicates the locations where these hybrids wer tested together.

The series of hybrids listed under the hybrid containing LH231 are considered check hybrids. The check hybrids are compared to hybrids containing the inbred LH231.

The (+) or (-) sign in front of each number in each of the columns indicates how the mean values across plots of the hybrid containing inbre LH231 compare to the check crosses. A (+) or (-) sign in front of the number indicates that the mean of the hybrid containing inbred LH231 was greater or lesser, respectively, than the mean of the check hybrid. For example, a +4 in yield signifies that the hybrid containing inbred LH231 produced 4 bushels more corn than the check hybrid. If the value of the stalks has a (-) in front of the number 2, for example, then the hybrid containing the inbred LH231 had 2% less stalk lodging than the check hybrid.

                                      TABLE 1     __________________________________________________________________________     OVERALL COMPARISONS     LH231 × LH216 HYBRID VERSUS CHECK HYBRIDS              Mean       %  %  %   Plant                                       Ear     Pedigree Yield                  % M Y/M                         Stalk                            Root                               Drop                                   Height                                       Height     __________________________________________________________________________     LH231 × LH216              206 22.33                      9.23                          3  8 0     (at 11 Loc's)     As Compared To:     LH119 × LH216              +4  +.27                      +.07                          0  0 0     LH132 × LH216              +2  +.48                      -.12                         +1  0 0     LH132 × LH51              +10 +.58                      +.20                         -5 -2 0     LH132 × LH210              +3  +.58                      -.09                         +1 -2 0     LH132 × LH212              +7  +1.50                      -.31                         -4  0 0     __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 2     __________________________________________________________________________     OVERALL COMPARISONS     LH231 × LH82 HYBRID VERSUS CHECK HYBRIDS              Mean        %  %  %   Plant                                        Ear     Pedigree Yield                  % M Y/M Stalk                             Root                                Drop                                    Height                                        Height     __________________________________________________________________________     LH231 × LH82              201 18.50                      10.89                           2 10 0     (at 6 Loc's)     As Compared To:     LH132 × LH82              +12 -1.52                      +1.43                          -2 +3 0     LH192 × LH82              -11 -1.31                      +.16                           0 +2 0     LHE136 × LH82               0  -1.06                      +.61                          -1 +1 0     LH132 × LH172              +2  -.39                      +.31                          -2 +3 0     LH198 × LH82              +8  +.03                      +.41                           0 +2 0     __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 3     __________________________________________________________________________     OVERALL COMPARISONS     LH231 × LH181 HYBRID VERSUS CHECK HYBRIDS              Mean        %  %  %   Plant                                        Ear     Pedigree Yield                  % M Y/M Stalk                             Root                                Drop                                    Height                                        Height     __________________________________________________________________________     LH231 × LH181              194 21.29                      9.09                           1  8 0     (at 8 Loc's)     As Compared To:     LH198 × LH213              -18 -2.18                      +.05                           0 +2 0     LH119 × LH184              +2  -1.31                      +.60                          -1 +6 0     LH119 × LH212              -12 -1.07                      -.09                          -1 +2 0     LH206 × LH213              -1  +.22                      -.15                          -2 +3 0     LH132 × LH181              +8  +.24                      +.26                          -1 +5 0     LH204 × LH212              -8  +.66                      -.69                          -2 +5 0     LH198 × LH181              +5  +1.10                      -.26                           0 +3 0     __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 4     __________________________________________________________________________     OVERALL COMPARISONS     LH231 × LH59 HYBRID VERSUS CHECK HYBRIDS              Mean        %  %  %   Plant                                        Ear     Pedigree Yield                  % M Y/M Stalk                             Root                                Drop                                    Height                                        Height     __________________________________________________________________________     LH231 × LH59              207 20.50                      10.10                           4  5  1     (at 8 Loc's)     As Compared To:     LH195 × LH59              +3  -1.37                      +.78                          +1 +1 +1     LH204 × LH212              -3  +.18                      -.22                          -4 +1  0     LH206 × LH213              +5  +.18                      +.14                           0 +4 +1     LH198 × LH59              +1  +.29                      -.07                          +1 +3  0     LH132 × LH59              +2  +.90                      -.36                          -1 +2 +1     __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 5     __________________________________________________________________________     OVERALL COMPARISONS     LH231 × LH212 HYBRID VERSUS CHECK HYBRIDS              Mean        %  %  %   Plant                                        Ear     Pedigree Yield                  % M Y/M Stalk                             Root                                Drop                                    Height                                        Height     __________________________________________________________________________     LH231 × LH212              159 20.54                      7.72                           4  4 0   111 44     (at 14 Loc's)     As Compared To:     LH199 × LH212              -4  -.59                      +.03                           0 +2 0   -3  -4     LH132 × LH212              +4  +.31                      +.07                           0 +2 0   -1  -3     LH195 × LH59              +10 +.42                      +.34                          +1 +1 0   +2   0     LH200 × LH212              -5  +.52                      -.44                          -2 +1 -1  -5  -3     LH204 × LH212              +4  +1.47                      -.37                           0 +2 -1  -2     __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 6     __________________________________________________________________________     OVERALL COMPARISONS     LH231 × LH59 HYBRID VERSUS CHECK HYBRIDS              Mean        %  %  %   Plant                                        Ear     Pedigree Yield                  % M Y/M Stalk                             Root                                Drop                                    Height                                        Height     __________________________________________________________________________     LH231 × LH59              147 17.32                      8.50                           7 1  1   111  45     (at 15 Loc's)     As Compared To:     LH195 × LH59              +3  -.80                      +.56                          +1 0  0   +2  -1     LH132 × LH59               0  +.12                      -.06                          +1 0  0   +2  -3     LH200 × LH59              +6  +.22                      +.25                          -1 0  0   +1  -1     LH200 × LH186              -5  +.25                      -.45                          -1 0  -1  -3  -3     __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 7     __________________________________________________________________________     OVERALL COMPARISONS     LH231 × LH82 HYBRID VERSUS CHECK HYBRIDS              Mean        %  %  %   Plant                                        Ear     Pedigree Yield                  % M Y/M Stalk                             Root                                Drop                                    Height                                        Height     __________________________________________________________________________     LH231 × LH82              153 19.68                      7.80                           5  1 0   93   39     (at 17 Loc's)     As Compared To:     LH132 × LH82              +6  -1.77                      +.93                           0  0 0   -2  +3     LH198 × LH82              -4  -.71                      +.08                           0 -2 0   -5   0     LH132 × LH168              +8  -.69                      +.64                          +1 -2 0   -8  -3     LHE136 × LH172              +1  -.67                      +.30                          +1 +1 0   -4  +1     LH132 × LH59              +12 -.56                      +.83                           0  0 -1  -13 -3     LH198 × LH172              -9  +.03                      -.48                          +2  0 0   -2  +3     __________________________________________________________________________

DEPOSIT INFORMATION

Inbred seeds of LH231 have been placed on deposit with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), Rockville, Md. 20852, under Deposit Accession Number 75954 on Dec. 1, 1994. A Plant Variety Protection Certificate is being applied for with the United States Department of Agriculture.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity and understanding, it will be obvious that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the invention, as limited only by the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. Inbred corn seed designated LH231 having ATCC accession No.
 75954. 2. A corn plant produced by growing the seed of claim
 1. 3. Pollen of the plant of claim
 2. 4. An ovule of the plant of claim
 2. 5. An inbred corn plant having all the physiological and morphological characteristics of the corn plant of claim
 2. 6. A tissue culture comprising regenerable cells of the inbred corn plant designated LH231 having seeds which have been deposited as ATCC Accession No.
 75954. 7. A corn plant regenerated frown the tissue culture of LH231, seeds of which have been deposited as ATCC Accession No. 75954, wherein said corn plant has all the physiological and morphological characteristics of LH231.
 8. A method for producing first generation (F₁) hybrid corn seed which gives rise to a hybrid corn plant having alleles that, when expressed, contribute to hybrids having lower ear placement than other B73 types, have less summer stalk breakage, improved Fusarium stalk rot complex tolerance in Nebraska and lower grain moisture at harvest, compared to similarly adapted hybrids, comprising crossing as the first inbred parent corn plant the plant of claim 2 with a second different inbred parent corn plant and harvesting the resultant first generation (F₁) hybrid corn seed.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein said first or second parent corn plant is the female parent.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein said first or second parent corn plant is the male parent.
 11. A first generation (F₁) hybrid corn plant produced by growing hybrid corn seed produced by the process of claim
 8. 